The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 eBook

great with Tully of late, that I fear you will
contemn these Things as Matters of no Consequence:
But believe me, Sir, they are of the highest Importance
to Human Life; and if you can do any thing towards
opening fair Eyes, you will lay an Obligation upon
all your Contemporaries who are Fathers, Husbands,
or Brothers to Females.

Your most affectionate humble Servant,
Simon Honeycomb.

T.

[Footnote 1: amongst]

[Footnote 2: Occasions]

[Footnote 3: A small Spa, in Northamptonshire,
upon the Oxford border. From Astrop to Bath the
scale of fashion rises.]

[Footnote 4: Bury Fair and Epsom Wells gave titles
to two of Shadwell’s Comedies.]

* * * *
*

No. I55. [1] Tuesday, August 28,
1711. Steele.

’...
Hae nugae seria ducunt
In mala ...’

Hor.

I have more than once taken Notice of an indecent
Licence taken in Discourse, wherein the Conversation
on one Part is involuntary, and the Effect of some
necessary Circumstance. This happens in travelling
together in the same hired Coach, sitting near each
other in any publick Assembly, or the like. I
have, upon making Observations of this sort, received
innumerable Messages from that Part of the Fair Sex
whose Lot in Life is to be of any Trade or publick
Way of Life. They are all to a Woman urgent with
me to lay before the World the unhappy Circumstances
they are under, from the unreasonable Liberty which
is taken in their Presence, to talk on what Subject
it is thought fit by every Coxcomb who wants Understanding
or Breeding. One or two of these Complaints I
shall set down.

Mr. SPECTATOR,

’I Keep a Coffee-house, and am one
of those whom you have thought fit to mention as
an Idol some time ago. I suffered a good deal
of Raillery upon that Occasion; but shall heartily
forgive you, who are the Cause of it, if you will
do me Justice in another Point. What I ask
of you, is, to acquaint my Customers (who are otherwise
very good ones) that I am unavoidably hasped in
my Bar, and cannot help hearing the improper Discourses
they are pleased to entertain me with. They strive
who shall say the most immodest Things in my Hearing:
At the same time half a dozen of them loll at the
Bar staring just in my Face, ready to interpret
my Looks and Gestures according to their own Imaginations.
In this passive Condition I know not where to cast
my Eyes, place my Hands, or what to employ my self
in: But this Confusion is to be a Jest, and
I hear them say in the End, with an Air of Mirth and
Subtlety, Let her alone, she knows as well as we, for
all she looks so. Good Mr. SPECTATOR, persuade
Gentlemen that it is out of all Decency: Say
it is possible a Woman may be modest and yet keep a
Publick-house. Be pleased to argue, that in